Math Forum Website: This website has a tremendous search engine to find any math discipline with tons of categories in and easy format to find examples, activities and videos on any any concept of choice.

To use: When you click on this link, scroll down the page and click on "Math Tools" and then on this page, go to the top right and use the drop down menus to find your concept of choice to list the great sites. There are interactive sites as well as informational sites. The Math Forum. Math Forum @ Drexel.

Instructions for use: Student account conventions: All students in grades 7-12 have been and will be uploaded to HRW on a regular basis. Student accounts will be based on the existing GoogleApps (or network login accounts) already in use. Passwords will be entered as the student ID number to start.

Each student is
encouraged to get the following supplies for themselves as we do have some of these resources in class for student use but with classes in the low to mid 30's of students, it is more convenient for the students to have their own and really helps out with how many resources we do have.

Graphing Calculator Ti84 Plus recommend for Algebra II and above and so students could get this now to get used to it for future classes although it is not necessary for geometry. Cost is appox. $100

Teaching Style

- Build positive relationship with students

- Make the curriculum relevant

- Make the work rigorous

- Consistent and effective communication

Classroom Norms

- Safe place to learn - Participate and Engage

- Take risks to problem solve - Increase your confidence

- Build problem solving stamina - Respect for self and others

Cell Phones

Cell phones certainly can be a distraction in class for students. Although our school allows students to have cell phones, my policy is that ear buds come out and cell phones go into a backpack or bag when they arrive to class. No tech to start. Cell phones are only allowed out when there is a classroom purpose for the lesson or during a possible break time. I will keep track of students who do not have their phones away when needed.

1st Time: I take the phone and return it at the end of class.

2nd/3rd Time: I take the phone, send an email home and return it at the end of class.

4th or more times: I take the phone and students can pick the phone up at the end of the day and we will have a parent conference.

Powerschool

Check your students grades and progress at any time. Click the link below. All you need is the username and password

Grades are updated on Powerschool right when assignments are graded. Grades are weighted 65% unit tests, 15% final exam, 20% quizzes/homework/activity packets/projects. See class syllabus as well for more information.

Mastery Learning

All students are expected to achieve 80% on all unit/chapter tests (quizzes are not included in mastery learning category.) If a student gets below 80%, then effort is required on the part of the student to raise their understanding.

Here is the retake policy

- Student scores 80% or better on the first attempt then the student is said to have mastered the material.

- Student scores 75-79%, do test corrections, meet with me at lunch, during class, after school to show me test corrections and then I ask some directed questions on commonly missed items to see if they are understood and when the student convinces me that it is understood, I raise the grade to 80%.

- Student scores 74% or lower, student does test corrections and possibly also asked to do some review questions/extra practice on the concepts. When student has shown proper effort to better understand the material and feels ready to succeed on a retake, then the student takes a retake. On rare occasions class time will be given for this. Normally students need to schedule a day after school to retake the test in my room. I will give the student up to a maximum of 80% on the retake while also giving a higher percentage if the student does better on the retake compared to the original. Test score will never go down after a retake. For our 3 tri math classes, it is more common to have a retake day built into the schedule for each unit.

Students are highly encouraged to retake the test within 1 week to get their score to 80% on a unit test from the day it is returned. This is to create a much better experience during the course of staying up on the foundational topics and providing for a better end of the course atmosphere.

Additional Resources For Math Help

1) I'm generally available Mon/Tue/Th after school 2:45-3:45.

2) Lunch Time Help: We have 11th/12th graders in room A310 helping kids with math everyday at both lunch times. Students can just go in there. I can be available at lunch as well.

3) Academic Resource Center (ARC) after school 2:45-5:00 and Skyline Staff, students, retired teachers and college students come in to tutor students that come in on all subjects.

How Can Students Best Prepare For Tests?

-Try
hard on problems in class on a daily basis. Consistent daily effort is the best way to prepare for unit tests.

-Focus
on vocabulary and make sure the highlighted terms in activity packet and on
note sheets in the activity packet are understood. Can use 4-square vocabulary
cards to help with understanding.

-There
are suggested problems in the book on the front of the packet for additional
practice and you can check odd answers in the back of the book.

-There
are additional practice problems for each chapter at the book of the book in
around page 900 called “Extended Practice” and odd answers are in the back of
the book.

-I’m
available most M,T,Th from 2:45-3:45 in room A302 after school.

-I can make time available during lunch although it is a short amount of time.

- Every lunch in room A310 there is math mentoring, meaning we have 11th and 12th graders in there everyday willing to help students in math. It is a tremendous resource to use.

- Mon, Tue, Wed and Thurs we have the ARC (Academic Resource Center) where students can go to the media center and receive help from volunteer tutors. This program runs 2:45-5:00 pm

How Can Parents Help?

1) Have your student discuss how they solved a problem. Students struggle to put their thoughts into words as they try to come to grips with what they are learning. Taking time to explain how to solve a problem helps to use current vocabulary and thought process and is a major focus of group work in this class.

2) Use the email updates to check in with your student about assignments and assessments coming up. Make sure they are preparing. Don't just take their word for it. Ask to see completed assignments and quiz them on the material if possible.

3) Check grades consistently in Powerschool to make sure they are up to date. Any missing work should be figured out and completed as soon as possible. Any test retakes under 80% need to be studied for and retaken as soon as possible.

4) Encourage/make your child use the extra help at Skyline if he/she is struggling. I am available at lunch and after school (except Wednesday's for staff meetings.) There is after school tutoring in the library after school. You can also get your student a tutor.